EQT has introduced a dedicated AI Infrastructure strategy focused on building the physical infrastructure underpinning artificial intelligence, seeded by global data center developer and operator EdgeConneX. The strategy will leverage EQT Infrastructure’s experience and leadership in digital and energy infrastructure, drawing on a platform that includes more than $100 billion in digital and energy assets globally, an energy pipeline of over 100 gigawatts, more than 90 data centers, and 29 million miles of fiber network deployed worldwide. The strategy is led globally by Jan Vesely and Christoph Balzer.
The launch is timed to address an extraordinary surge in infrastructure demand. Global data center investment is accelerating as AI significantly increases compute needs and power consumption, with industry estimates suggesting approximately $4 trillion will be invested in data centers and energy infrastructure over the next five years to meet this demand, according to Bain & Company. Supply constraints, particularly around access to power, are emerging as a key bottleneck, reinforcing the need for coordinated investment across digital and energy infrastructure.
EdgeConneX provides the strategy with an immediate, large-scale platform from which to execute on the AI infrastructure opportunity. Since EQT’s acquisition of EdgeConneX in 2020, the company has scaled its capacity by nearly 20 times and plans to develop more than 10 gigawatts of additional data centers in the coming years, with a presence across all major data center markets in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. EQT AI Infrastructure will leverage this footprint to roll out additional infrastructure worldwide, working with major hyperscalers, chip designers, AI-native companies, and neoclouds to drive investment into the sector.
KEY QUOTES:
“Infrastructure is now the defining factor for AI’s continued expansion. Integrated solutions are needed across chips, data centers, energy and connectivity. EQT’s Infrastructure funds own the critical infrastructure needed for the accelerated deployment of AI, so we are able to roll out new AI factories and data centers rapidly and efficiently while delivering additional energy to serve these AI needs. We look forward to collaborating across our portfolio to support the development of this critical infrastructure and help lay the foundation on which the AI economy is being built.”
Jan Vesely, Partner, EQT
“EdgeConneX has always focused on our customers and their global needs. From hyperlocal to hyperscale, we have always delivered a solution predicated on giving the customer what they want, where they want and when they want it. Leveraging EQT’s capital and portfolio of energy and network infrastructure means that we can deliver a true end-to-end gigascale solution that enables our customer’s AI requirements globally.”
Randy Brouckman, CEO, EdgeConneX
